Just like every year around this time, we’re preparing for Easter – and although some people take off on vacation, others use this time to keep up ancestral traditions. They take part in rituals already well-know from childhood, marveling at religious processions and tucking in to plentiful Easter feasts. Unlike the familiar Easter Bunny and his eggs, some of these customs from different cultures are far less known, but no less remarkable!

1. Easter eggs behind every bush

In this case, the custom shouldn’t be a particular surprise – considering that all Christians celebrate Easter with painted eggs and/or the delicious chocolate variety thereof. But do you also know the origin of this custom? According to legend, Mary Magdalene announced to the Emperor Tiberius that Christ had been resurrected. The Emperor simply laughed, saying that this was about as likely as if an egg suddenly turned red. The sentence had barely been spoken aloud, and already a wonderful tradition was born.

Decorated Easter Eggs. Photo: Wikipedia.

2. The Dance of the Dead

In Verges in the province of Girona, you can attend one of the oldest (and most unusual) processions in Spain, which takes place on the night of Maundy Thursday, when the residents of the town gather together to dance in clothing painted with skeletons. Read More »

Cruises offer not only comfort, but also the opportunity to see a tremendous amount of the world – often in a very short time and without much (of your own) effort. Cruise ships these days are more like small cities, and offer everything a passenger could want – fun, relaxation and a variety of culinary delights from around the world. Today we’ll show you five cruises that are definitely worth the trip.

Transamerica – On the Trail of the Vikings

You want to feel like an explorer? Then this is absolutely the route for you. You’ll start in Hamburg, take a detour to Norway and Iceland, and after a few more stops end finally in New York. The trip across the big pond offers a plethora of natural wonders, and is an especially good choice for those who want to experience a lot without being on the road for months. You’ll be traveling for around 18 days, and should plan for prices starting at 2500 Euros.

Photo: Shutterstock.

From Malaga to South Africa

If you’d like to start your cruise in nearby Spain, but still prefer a trip that takes you far into the unknown, then this could be the perfect option for you. You’ll start in Spain, head to Morocco and then cross the equator. After that, destinations including Angola, Namibia, and finally a longer stay in South Africa are on the itinerary. The tour lasts about a month and isn’t cheap, but starting at about € 3,500, it’s still an affordable option. Read More »

It’s time to shake off the dust of winter! The first few days of spring have arrived, and as the sun begins to warm our skin, the vacation atmosphere is slowly gaining momentum. Spring is just a little bit nicer in the following places.

Photo: Shutterstock.

Provence (France)

The cold and rain of winter slowly melt away into a Provencal springtime, taking with them the gloominess spread by the Mistral winds across the southeastern region of France. The air fills with the scent of thyme and flowers that colors Provence almost-kitschy colors this time of year. You’ll feel très francais as you stroll through the market with a bag full of fresh regional produce like artichokes and asparagus – the arrival of which is so highly anticipated by the French that it’s marked with a multi-day festival in April. Whether hiking in the Haute Alpes mountain region, visiting ancient Roman aqueducts in the region’s inland, or baking in the sun of the Côte d’Azur – Provence has many faces. Read More »

“You’re flying to Iceland in February? Are you crazy? But it’s so dark there this time of year, and way too cold!” These were the kinds of shocked reactions that were thrown at me before my vacation to Iceland in February – in many cases even from Icelanders themselves. I was of course already well aware that the island, which is located just below the Arctic Circle, probably wouldn’t be a popular destination for sunbathing on its volcanic sand beaches – after all, the country is named “Iceland.”

There are, however, plenty of great reasons to head to this snow-white island in the middle of winter. Sure, people who love sunlight won’t exactly get their fix, given that it’s dark by 5:00 in the afternoon, and the sun doesn’t begin to peek above the horizon again until after 10:00 in the morning – that is, if it even breaks through the cover of clouds and fog. On the other hand, I’ve never found myself in such a special, warm and peaceful atmosphere. Anyone who has ever stopped in for a Kaffi at one of Reykjavík’s traditionally decorated cafés while a snowstorm rages outside knows exactly what I mean. Read More »

It’s a question of taste and the traveling circumstances: how many people does it take to have the best journey possible? Whether you decide to travel alone, with a partner or a whole gang – every one of these combos has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Traveling alone – Between freedom and boredom

When you are traveling alone, the question is whether this is truly a comfortable way to travel. Especially when it comes to girls and women alone on the road, although there really is no better way to get to know a country than to travel alone. You can roam through winding alleys and soak in the atmosphere without having to deal with comments on the clothing style of an eccentric passerby or constant toilet breaks that could distract you from the adventure. If you are traveling alone, there is a good chance that you will be able to fully immerse yourself in what is going on around you. You will love or hate the new world around you and be entirely engulfed by it, but you will have no choice but to find your own way of dealing with the situation. After all, you are the only one in charge of the organization, as well as – in most cases – the only person there who understands your language.

On the other hand, you can enjoy the perks of complete freedom – I am on the road alone and don’t have to coordinate my traveling schedule with anybody. This way, you are able to take in fully this once-in-a-lifetime, personal experience, that you otherwise – with a partner or in a larger group – probably wouldn’t be able to.Read More »

Spring is almost here and with it the perfect time to explore great cities. And there’s no better to do so than in a market! There you can find the great cuisine, culture, and people of a city or even an entire country. And for this reason, we would like to present you our 5 most favorite markets in Europe.

‘Borough Market’ in London

The origins of this market, located in Southwark, go back into the 13th century, which makes it one of the oldest markets in all of London. However, it has gotten a lot larger since then. Now the market has almost 130 booths and is the selection of foods just keeps growing. Here you can get everything you need, from fresh fruits to foreign beers and tons of different types of fish or the latest fast food creations London has to offer. This market presents a mix of regional sellers and imported products from all over the world. You could spend hours at Borough Market, but still want to come back the next day since you’ll still feel you’ve missed something. This feeling that you could try and see more will bring you back to this great place again and again! It’s full of so many surprises and has such a unique charm that you should definitely check it out someday!

Where? 8 Southwark Street, LondonWhen? Regular market days are Wednesdays through Sundays – but you can get lunch all week.

The ‘Mercado Central’ in Valencia

At this market you’ll find both locals and tourists together. Together, like you’ll see them nowhere in all of Valencia. It’s described as one of the oldest markets in Europe, since its roots go back to 1839, when it was called Mercado Nuevo. Some decades later the market was brought back to life after a full restoration. Since then, it has become one of the economic centers of the city. With over 400 retailers it offers everything the global, but in particular the Spanish cuisine has to offer. You’ll be able to feast your eyes on the gigantic amounts of fish which are spread throughout a separate 1400 square meter hall dedicated only to seafood.

Cold, rain and snow and nothing blue to spot on the sky for days? Winter sure is a very unique season, but in the long-term can really get you down. No worries though, we’ve got the cure: travelling. Get inspired by our list of ten colorful destinations!

Valladolid (Mexico)

You’ll find houses colored in mint green, pink and pale yellow, the sidewalks are terracotta-colored and the heaven mostly blue with clouds as smooth as cotton candy. The city of Valladolid on the Mexican peninsula Yucatán is as colorful as the Mexican ponchos.

Foto: shutterstock | Eddy Galeotti

Cinque Terre (Italy)

Cinque Terre is a lovely place that translates into five villages and is located along the seaside of the Italian Riviera and part of the UNESCO World Heritage. If you plan to go, each of the five places can be visited right after each other at the coast. Read More »

No worries, this is not going to be just another story on how to get that last-minute room in Paris. In fact we believe if you’re already that far behind schedule, you might as well surprise your significant other with a more creative trip for Valentine’s day. We’ve prepared a list of five destinations that can easily give Paris, Venice orLondon a run for their money, but are not yet on everyone else’s romantic bucket list.

Istanbul – the city of stunning beauty on the Bosporus

There’s a reason people visiting Istanbul tend to lose their hearts to the city. Strolling around in the narrow streets of Turkey’s most densely populated city, you are instantly overwhelmed bythe oriental flair the city emanates. Combining traditional with modernity, this city will be an unforgettable destination for couples. Insider tip: Get a breath-taking view of Istanbul from Büyük Çamlica, a hill located some 268m above sea level in the neighborhood Üsküdar.

London sure is a safe bet for a decent Valentine’s Day. Without question, the city is fantastic and leaves no wishes unfulfilled. Unfortunately, however, this also comes at a price. London is always among the most expensive travel destinations in the world, and Valentine’s Day is no different.

So here’s our romantic tip: check out Brighton! The city really offers everything you could ask for on a Valentine’s trip, ranging from narrow streets, cute little cafés and those typical charming English houses. Go for a walk along the seashore and stop by the Brighton Pier. Want to add that special little extra? Surprise your beloved with a romantic ride on the Ferris wheel at dusk. You can also book your tickets online before your trip. Read More »

Article translated from the German version of tripwolf’s author Christin.

We have often presented the peculiarities of different countries to you, but today it’s getting a little sportier! This coming weekend, one of the most important sports events in the world is taking place, and that is why we are showing you the sporting highlights of this year.

The Super Bowl in the USA

On February 2nd 2015 (US time), the wait for football fans will come to an end: the Seattle Seahawks are playing in the final against the New England Patriots in Glendale, Arizona.

As one of the most important sporting events in the world, it draws more than 111 million viewers in the States alone, who watch the spectacle, as well as the half-time show, on big-screen monitors or at home on the couch, making this event TV’s highest-rated program of the year. By the way, the Super Bowl is becoming more popular in Europe with each passing year, thus nearly every country offers a live broadcast.

Photo: upthebanner

In addition to the half-time show, at which superstars like Madonna and Katy Perry perform annually, especially the commercial breaks are a hot topic of conversation: advertisers pay a stiff price of 4.5 million US dollars per 30 seconds on air. Read More »

Sometimes, when it comes to capturing memories of our most enjoyable times in foreign countries, the static images of our compact camera just won’t cut it anymore. It doesn’t matter if it is the video camera in your hand at a picnic in Central Park or the GoPro strapped to your head while bungee-jumping in Sydney: footage from our journeys lets us rekindle memories of our most wonderful adventures time and again.

Luckily, some filmmakers let us see through their eyes and create the most artistically ambitious short films, to illustrate the beauty of a country, a culture, or traveling in general. Accompanied by the right music, these videos become breath-taking short trips in your mind. Like fresh fuel, the following 5 clips won’t fail to kindle your wanderlust. Read More »

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